Trial Begins After Death of Two Twin Brothers in E-Scooter Accident in Frankfurt

According to the Assize Chamber, which serves as the grand criminal division for particularly serious cases, the main hearing is currently scheduled to run until mid-September. The court therefore expects an extensive evidentiary process.

Background: What Happened on the Night of 6 July 2025?

The prosecution accuses the defendant of driving his father's car through downtown Frankfurt significantly over the speed limit under the influence of nitrous oxide on the night of 6 July 2025. Specifically, he is alleged to have raced along Mainzer Landstraße at around 75 km/h, although the urban speed limit there is 50.

According to the indictment, the car left its lane and veered into the bike lane, where it struck two 23-year-old twin brothers riding together on an e-scooter. One of the brothers died at the scene; the other died of his injuries a few hours later in the hospital.

According to the indictment, after colliding with the twins, the 24-year-old continued driving without braking. A few seconds later, he allegedly struck another 27-year-old e-scooter rider, who was hurled against the windshield and, according to the prosecution, lay on the hood for about 70 meters before falling onto the tram tracks.

The 27-year-old was injured so severely that he lost his right leg below the knee and had to undergo multiple surgeries. According to the presiding judge, his ongoing poor health currently prevents him from testifying as a witness in the trial.

Charges: Negligent Homicide and Attempted Murder

The defendant then allegedly fled the scene. He parked the damaged car in a remote location and removed the license plates. It was only several hours after the collisions that he turned himself in to the police. He has been in pretrial detention ever since.

The prosecution classifies the collision with the twin brothers as negligent homicide. By contrast, it characterizes the second collision with the 27-year-old as attempted murder, arguing that the driver callously accepted the man's death by simply continuing to drive despite the accident.

The defendant's attorney described the case at the outset as a "menschliche Katastrophe" that has affected all sides — the victims, their families, and also her client. She described her client as "ein ganz normaler junger Mann, der nun im Gefängnis sitzt." She also pointed to her client's psychological state at the time of the accident: "Bei dem Unfall sei er nicht Herr seiner Sinne gewesen, sondern habe sich in einem psychischen Ausnahmezustand befunden".

Defense Sees "Menschliche Katastrophe" for All Sides

Regarding the allegation of nitrous oxide use, the defense stated that the defendant had initially consumed nitrous oxide with friends along the Main river in July 2025 before setting off on his way home. The consumption of such substances has been the subject of public debate for some time, as their legal classification remains inconsistent.

The co-plaintiffs — that is, the representatives of the victims and their families — are demanding, according to information from the proceedings, damages of at least 300,000 euros as well as a lifelong pension for the severely injured 27-year-old. The consequences of the accident remain "katastrophal" for the families to this day.

Consequences for the Victims and Their Families

According to the defense, another key witness, in addition to the 27-year-old e-scooter rider, is currently unable to testify. The court must therefore clarify how the missing statements will affect the evidentiary process.

The accident occurred in the summer of the previous year on the heavily traveled Mainzer Landstraße, one of Frankfurt's main arterial roads. The case attracted attention beyond the city because it highlighted the dangers of e-scooter traffic while also illustrating the consequences of speed and substance use on the road.

The start of the trial marks the beginning of a main hearing in which the chamber will have to clarify not only the specific events but also more fundamental questions — such as the responsibility of drivers under the influence of nitrous oxide and the distinction between negligent homicide and attempted murder.

Outlook on the Remainder of the Trial

Should the court ultimately convict on attempted murder, it would also have to consider the question of a life sentence and subsequent preventive detention. A conviction for negligent homicide alone would result in a significantly lower expected sentence.

With regard to the upcoming hearing dates: months are likely to pass before a verdict is handed down. Observers expect the question of culpability under the influence of nitrous oxide to play a central role in the remainder of the proceedings.